Loose leaf binder



June 22, 1937. H. D. COTI'RELL ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER 2 Shee'ts-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1935 INVENTORS. haZ k/zd 2 (bZzreZZ,

ATTORNEY June 22, 1937. H. D. COTTRELL ET AL 2,034,724

LLLLLLLLLLLLL ER Filed Aug. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

' ATTORNEY Patented June 22, 1937 PATENT OFFICE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Holland 1). Cottrell :31! Alick Clarke, Detroit,

Application August 14, 1935, Serial No. 36,084

13 Claims.

This invention relates to loose leai. binders and the object of the invention is to provide a very cheap and efficient binder for a comparatively small number of sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide a loose leaf binder in which the binder member is formed from a single piece of paper stock and is so arranged that the leaves may be readily inserted and secured in place.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cheap and novel means for maintaining a pressure on the loose leaves in the binder and arranged so that the said means may be readily disengaged to allow separation or removal of the sheets.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means whereby several binders may be engaged together in a series to form a visible index.

Another object of the invention is to provide a series of binders forming a visible index in which any binder may be readily removed from the series or replaced in the series quickly and expeditiously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a series of binders which may be inter-engaged so 25 that the removable leaves of the different binders extend in spaced relation at the lower edges in the series.

These objects and the several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and the preferred form of construction by which these objects are attained is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a perspective view of a binder embodying our invention and showing a pair of leaves 35 secured therein.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view taken from the rear of the binder and partly broken away to show the construction.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the blank from 40 which the binder is formed.

Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the assembly of the binder.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the edge of one of the sheets to be secured in the binder.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 2. r

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing two of th binders connected together and each having a 50 sheet fastened therein.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear of the binders shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line il8 of Fig. 9.

55 Fig. 11 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 9

partly broken away to show the inter-engaging binders.

The blank forming the binder is cut from tough, strong paper stock and the blank is shown more particularly in Fig. 3. The blank comprises a top member I having a score line 2 on which this member i is folded to provide a channel and this member I is provided with a tongue 3 having a score line 4 spaced from the edge along which the tongue may be folded. This member I is connected by the straps 6 with the locking member 8 which is comparatively wide and is provided with notches 9 in its outer edge II as shown. This blank is folded by folding the member 8 on the score lines Ill at one end of the straps 8 and then engaging the notches 9 over the straps 6 as shown in Fig. 4. After this has been done, the tongue 3 and adjacent portion of the member I are inserted behind the edge H of the member 8 which completes the folding of the binder as will be understood from Figs. 4 and 2.

In use, sheets I2 are provided having T-shaped slots l3 which are engaged over the straps at the point where the straps join the channel member I and the edge ll of the member 8 is inserted behind the leaves I2 when it is folded as shown in Fig. 4. By this arrangement, the notches 9 of the member 8 force the leaves to the top of the straps 6 and when the tongue 3 is inserted between the leaves and the member 8, the leaves are secured in the binder between the notches 9 in the member 8 and the edge ll of the channel I on the straps 6, as shown in Fig. 2. This bindingly holds the leaves in place and Fig. 1 shows a front view of the leaves secured in place and Figs. 2 and 4 are back views of the device. For the purpose of illustration, the binders and leaves are shown thicker than they actually are so that the folding of the different portions may be clearly illustrated. To remove the leaves from the device it is merely necessary to pull the member 8 downwardly in the same manner as indicated in Fig. 4 in order to free the leaves and allow their ready removal from the straps.

In order to assemble several binders together for a visible index the portion of the tongue 3 adjacent the edge 5 is turned upwardly on the scored line 4, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. At this time, another binder as shown in Fig. 1 may be slipped upwardly between the member 8 and the upturned portion of the tongue 3 and the edge 5 of the tongue 3 may be engaged underneath the edge H of the channel member I between the straps 6 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and in Figs. and 11.

The binders shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are each provided with a single sheet but, if desired,

each binder may be provided with several sheets and the binders may be assembled together by hooking the edge 5 of the tongue 3 of one binder beneath the edge ll of the next lower binder so that a series of binders may be inter-engaged in this manner in spaced relation so that the lower edges of the diiferent sheets extend in spaced relation as shown at l5 at the bottom of Figs. 8 and 10 and the lower edge of the front sheet of each binder-may be printed with indexes, names or notations, as desired. so that these notations are exposed to view on the front sheet of each binder. Thus, the sheets may be printed with any desired information and the index for each binder will appear on the front sheets of the assembled binders so that the sheets may be turned upwardly to allow access to the information on any sheet of any binder. By use of these binders, it is possible to separate any binder from the series and remove or replace the sheets in the binders and return the binders to the series by properly engaging the edge ill of the removed binder behind the turned up edge 5 'of the tongue 3 of the binder next above the removed one.

It is also to be noted that the straps 6 are placed under tension in that the engagement of the locking member- II to position ,with the notches 9 engaging against the straps 6 and against the side of the channel member opposite that to which the straps are secured tenses the straps 6. When this locking member II is turned to this position, it is first curved as shown in Fig. 4 so that the edge of the locking member Il may be brought to engagement against the side of the channel member thus forcing this side of the channel member inwardly and as the distance between the folds in shown in Fig. 3 and the bottom of the notches 9 is equal to or slightly greater than the lengths of the straps 6 these straps are actually placed under tension particularly in view of the fact that the channel member I is engaged by the locking member and forced toward the side of the channel member to which the straps are secured. From the foregoing description it becomes evident that the device is very simple and efiicient in operation, is very cheap to manufacture, provides both a loose leaf binder and a visible index when the binders are assembled together and provides a device which accomplishes the objects described.

Having thus fully described our invention, its utility and mode of operation, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is- 1. A loose leaf binder comprising a locking member having a pair of notches in one edge, a

pair of straps extending from the opposite edge thereof, the locking member being foldable on the straps at the point where the straps are connected thereto to bring the notches into engagement with and over the straps, a channel member formed integrally with the opposite ends of the straps, a series of loose leaves provided with notches to engage over the straps, the loose leaves being engaged between the notched edge of the locking member and the edge of the channel member and a tongue extending from the side of the channel member opposite the straps, said tongue extending in position between the loose leaves and the locking member when the locking member is turned to locking position.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising a locking member having a pair of notches in one edge, a pair of straps secured to and extending from the opposite edge of the locking member, a channel member secured at one edge to the ends of said straps and the locking member being foldable on the straps at the point where the straps are connected thereto to bring the notches into engagement with the straps, a series of loose leaves provided with notches adapted for engagement over the straps and the notched edge of the locking member engaging the free side of the channel member and holding the loose leaves in place on the straps between the edges of the channel member.

3. A loose leaf binder formed from a single sheet of paper stock comprising a channel portion, a pair of straps extending from one side of the channel portion, a locking member formed integrally with the straps and foldable thereon, a tongue extending from the opposite side of the channel portion, the locking member being foldable on the straps and havinga portion insertable between the straps over the said tongue, the said locking member being provided with notches for engaging the straps and maintaining a portion of the straps in position across the edges of the channel portion.

4. A loose leaf binder formed from a single sheet of paper stock comprising a channel portion, a pair of straps extending from one side of the channel portion, a locking member extending from the ends of the straps and foldable thereon, a tongue extending from the opposite side'of the channel portion, the channel portion being foldable to allow insertion of the tongue between the straps and the locking member being foldable on the straps and being provided with notches in the edge opposite to which the straps are secured for engaging the straps and maintaining the straps in position across the edges of the channel portion.

5. A loose leaf binder comprising a channel member having two sides, a pair of straps extending from one side of the channel member, a locking member secured to the outer ends of the straps and foldable thereon, a tongue extending from the opposite side of the channel member, the locking member being foldable on the straps and provided with an end insertable between the straps and over the tongue and channel portion to which the tongue is secured.

6. A loose leaf binder comprising a strong pa per channel member having two sides, a pair of straps secured to and extending from one side of the channel member, a locking member secured to the outer ends of the straps and foldable thereon, the locking member being provided with a portion adapted to be engaged against the side of the channel member opposite that to which the straps are secured, the said locking member when so positioned engaging and placing a tension on the straps and drawing the sides of the channel member toward each other, the locking member being provided with portions engaging said straps when in locking position and the channel member being provided with a tongue On the side opposite the straps, the tongue being provided with a return bent edge adapted to be fitted under the edge of the channel member of a successive like binder and between the straps thereof to secure the binders together in spaced relation.

7. A loose leaf binder comprising a channel member having two sides, a pair of straps ex- 75 tending from one side of the channel member, a locking member connected to the outer ends of the straps and foldable thereon, the locking member being provided with notches in the outer edge to engage the straps when folded on the straps, the edge of the channel member opposite the straps being provided with a tongue having a return bent lower edge, the outer edge of the locking member being arranged to engage over the tongue and side of the channel member opposite the straps, the arrangement being such that the edge of a'successive channel member between the straps may be engaged over the return bent edge of the tongue and between the tongue and locking member to secure a successive binder in looking relation with the first bind- 8. A loose leaf binder comprising a channel member having two sides, a pair of straps extending from one side of the channel member, a locking member secured to the outer ends of the straps and foldable thereon, the locking member being provided with notches to engage the straps when folded on the straps, the edge of the looking member being arranged to engage over the side of the channel member opposite the straps and drawing the sides of the channel member toward each other, the channel member being provided with a tongue on the side opposite the straps and the locking member engaging over the tongue, the tongue being provided with a return bent edge to hold a successive binder when engaged thereover.

locking member being provided with notches to engage the straps when folded on the straps, the edge of the channel member opposite the straps being provided with a tongue, the edge of the locking member above the notches being arranged to engage over the tongue and side of the channel a member opposite the straps, the tongue being provided with an upturned edge to engage beneath the edge of a successive channel member between the straps.

10. A loose leaf binder comprising a channel member having two sides, a pair of straps secured to and extending from one side of the channel member, a locking member secured to the outer ends of the straps and foldable thereon, the looking member being provided with an end adapted to be engaged against the side of the channel member opposite that to which the straps are secured, the said locking member when so positioned placing a tension on the straps and drawing the sides of the channel member toward each other, the locking member being provided with portions engaging the said straps when in locking position.

11. A loose leaf binder comprising a channel member having two sides, a pair of straps secured to and extending from one side of the channel member, a locking member secured to the outer ends of the straps and foldable thereon, the looking member being provided with a notched edge at the edge opposite to which the straps are secured, the notches being engageable over the straps and the notched edge being engageable against the side of the channel member opposite that side to which the straps are secured to maintain the straps under tension.

12. A loose leaf binder comprising a channel member, a pair of straps secured to and extending from one side of the channel member, a locking member secured to the said straps and foldable thereon, the locking member being provided with notches to receive'the straps, the portion of the locking member between the notches being insertable to position between the straps and over the side of the channel member opposite from that to which the straps are secured and the notches in the locking member maintaining the straps under tension when turned to locking position.

13. A loose leaf binder comprising a channel member, a pair of straps secured to and extending from one side of the channel member, a locking member secured to and foldable on the straps, the locking member being provided with a portion engageable against the side of the channel member opposite that side to which the straps are secured and insertable between the straps to maintain the straps under tension.

HOLLAND D. COTTRELL.

ALICK CLARKE. 

